ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
This is the century of digital revolution and new age innovations: PM Modi
PM calls for collaboration among BIMSTEC nations to make this century a century of Asia
Lauds vibrant energy in the startup space in BIMSTEC countries
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has said that it is for BIMSTEC nations to make this century the century of Asia as they are one fifth of humanity and have the collectively strength of 3.8 trillion dollar GDP. He was addressing ‘Prarambh: Startup India International Summit’ today via video conferencing.
The Prime Minister, noted the vibrant energy in the startup space in BIMSTEC countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand. The Prime Minister noted that this century is a century of digital revolution and new age innovations. This is also the century of Asia. Therefore, it is the demand of our time that future technology and entrepreneurs should come from the region. For this, the Prime Minister stressed, that Asian counties who have will for collaboration should take responsibility and come together. There is a shared heritage of culture, civilization and relations in these countries. We share our thoughts, our ideas and wellbeing, therefore our success will also be shared. This responsibility, naturally falls on BIMSTECF countries as we work for one fifth of humanity, said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister saw new possibilities in the impatience, energy and eagerness of the youth of the region. That’s why, he said, he called for collaboration for technology and innovation at BIMSTEC summit in 2018 and proposed a BIMSTEC Start Up Conclave. Today’s Startup India International conclave is a step in the direction of fulfilling that pledge, the Prime Minister said.
Shri Modi outlined the ongoing steps in enhancing connectivity and business relations among the countries of the region. He recalled that BIMSTEC Ministers participated in India Mobile Congress in 2018 to promote digital connectivity. Similarly collaboration is on in sectors like defence, disaster management, space, agriculture and business. “Strong relations in these areas will benefit our startups leading to a value creation cycle, meaning, deepening ties in fields like infrastructure, agriculture and business will create new opportunities for our startups which in turn lead to growth in these sectors”, hoped Prime Minister Modi.
Ministry of Defence
MoU Between Indian Army and Axis Bank
A Memorandum of Undersanding  was signed between the Indian Army and Axis Bank on the Defence Salary Package on 13 Apr 2018. The first MoU between Axis Bank and the Indian Army was signed in 2011 and was renewed on 24 Mar 2015. The current MoU is tailor-made to suit the requirements of serving soldiers, pensioners and families.
The signing-in ceremony was chaired by the Director General , Lt Gen SK Saini and was attended by the top dignitaries of Axis Bank headed by Mr Sanjay Sailas, President and Head, Retail Banking, Axis Bank.
Recently, Indian Army has also signed a MoU with HDFC bank. MoUs are considered for inception and renewal with banks on analyzing their utility and suitability to the requirements of serving soldiers, pensioners and families. Army is hoping that this MoU will benefit a large number of serving and retired Army personnel who are having their accounts with Axis bank; and also provide them an opportunity to access modern banking facilities.
Under the current MoU, apart from other benefits, the Army personnel will get free personal accident death cover and free permanent total disability cover of Rs 30 lakh and free educational cover of up to Rs 2 Lakh for children between the age of 12 and 20 years.
Manoj Tuli
APRO
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Ministry of Labour & Employment
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Health Insurance for Domestic Workers
The Central Government had enacted the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008, now subsumed in the Code on Social Security, 2020, for providing social security to all unorganized workers including domestic workers. The Act provides formulation of social security schemes viz. life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits & old age protection by the central Government. The state Government are mandated under the Act to formulate suitable welfare schemes for unorganized sector workers including domestic workers relating to provident fund, employment injury benefits housing, education schemes for children, skill up gradation of workers, financial assistance & old age homes. Central Sector Schemes like PMJJBY, PMSBY, PM-SYM provide social security cover to all the unorganised workers including domestic workers in respect of life & disability cover, insurance and pension. Ayushman Bharat PMJAY provides secondary and tertiary health benefits to all unorganized workers including domestic workers who are covered as eligible beneficiaries as per Socio Economic Caste census Data, 2011.
Ministry of Labour& Employment is in the process of developing a comprehensive National Data base of the Unorganized workers  to collect relevant information of unorganized workers including domestic workers and inter-alia help in delivery of various social security and welfare schemes being implemented for them.
The number of domestic workers as per Census 2011 is given below:-
|
|
Sl. No.
|
|
States/UTs
|
|
Number of Domestic Workers
|
|
1
|
|
Andaman & Nicobar Islands UT
|
|
2,085
|
|
2
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
4,66,209
|
|
3
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
2,855
|
|
4
|
|
Assam
|
|
38,397
|
|
5
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|
Bihar
|
|
39,685
|
|
6
|
|
Chandigarh UT
|
|
23,110
|
|
7
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
1,08,422
|
|
8
|
|
Dadra & Nagar Haveli UT
|
|
1,403
|
|
9
|
|
Daman & Diu UT
|
|
1,503
|
|
10
|
|
NCT of Delhi
|
|
2,11,767
|
|
11
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|
Goa
|
|
20,810
|
|
12
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
2,39,517
|
|
13
|
|
Haryana
|
|
1,02,476
|
|
14
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
23,128
|
|
15
|
|
Jammu & Kashmir
|
|
18,937
|
|
16
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
39,371
|
|
17
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
3,26,585
|
|
18
|
|
Kerala
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|
1,65,012
|
|
19
|
|
Lakshadweep UT
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|
39
|
|
20
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
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|
1,89,170
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|
21
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|
Maharashtra
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|
9,92,040
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|
22
|
|
Manipur
|
|
1,248
|
|
23
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
11,461
|
|
24
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
1,718
|
|
25
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
2,470
|
|
26
|
|
Odisha
|
|
92,714
|
|
27
|
|
Puducherry UT
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|
22,815
|
|
28
|
|
Punjab
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|
1,41,861
|
|
29
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|
Rajasthan
|
|
99,288
|
|
30
|
|
Sikkim
|
|
3,157
|
|
31
|
|
Tamilnadu
|
|
6,05,169
|
|
32
|
|
Tripura
|
|
8,770
|
|
33
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
2,01,316
|
|
34
|
|
Uttarakhand
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|
27,512
|
|
35
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|
West Bengal
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|
5,49,335
|
|
|
|
Total
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47,81,355
Data as per Census 2011
This information was given by Minister of State  for Labour & Employment Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Science & Technology
A Tattoo sensor for monitoring vital health parameters
The Skin conformal sensor has the ability to perform non-invasive and continuous monitoring of vital health parameters. Further, it has the potential to replace rigid and bulky health monitoring devices.
Active research in the field of epidermal electronics has spawned an important class of wearable sensors that aim to deliver point of care diagnostics with comfortable and robust user experience. Conventional medical devices are bulky, rigid, and non-practical because they do not allow continuous monitoring of vital health parameters while continuing day to day life schedule. The soft and curvilinear shape of human body needs skin like sensors that can be tattooed on the body with an easy transfer process.
Dr. Saurabh Kumar from Centre for Nanoscience and Engineering  at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India, a recipient of the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship instituted by the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India is currently working on wearable sensors that can retract information from human body using its largest organ, the skin.
In his recent work published in the journal ‘ACS Sensors’, his group has fabricated a skin conformal tattoo sensor about 20 μm thick. The sensor promises inconspicuous and continuous monitoring of vital health parameters of an individual, like pulse rate, respiration rate, and surface electromyography. The sensor serves as a single conduit for sensing respiration rate and pulse, dispensing with the need of mounting multiple sensors. Its remarkably high sensitivity with a gauge factor  has been ascribed to the development of nano-cracks and their propagation through the film upon application of strain. The fast response and highly repeatable sensor follows easy fabrication steps and can be patterned into any shape and size using a laser.
Figure: Skin conformal tattoo sensor for wearable application
The Skin conformal sensor has the ability to perform non-invasive and continuous monitoring of vital health parameters. Further, it has the potential to replace rigid and bulky health monitoring devices.
These sensors do not interfere with the daily activities of the user, thus enabling continuous monitoring of vital signs like pulse rate, respiration rate, UV rays exposure, skin hydration level, glucose monitoring, and so on.
Apart from pursuing his research on sensors, Dr. Kumar is also training students in cutting-edge research in biosensor technologies while actively engaging them in the development of tools for bio-research and clinical diagnosis.
[Publication link: 
For more details, contact Dr. Saurabh Kumar .]
President's Secretariat
Public hospitals such as King George’s Medical University have played a leading role in the Fight against Covid-19: President Kovind
President addresses the 16th convocation of King George’s Medical University through a video message
Public hospitals such as King George’s Medical University have played a leading role in the fight against Covid-19. Due to their efforts, millions of countrymen are able to face the challenges of Covid-19 despite conditions like dense population and limited income, said the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind. He was addressing the 16th Convocation of the King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, today  through a video message. The President specially thanked the doctors, nurses and other health workers of public health institutions like KGMU who have been frontline warriors in facing Corona. He said that all praises fall short for these Corona-warriors. Many Corona-warriors have lost their lives in this war. Our country would always be indebted to these sacrifices.
The President said that world-wide efforts are going on to harness the coordination of communication technology and individual talent of physicians in 21st-century health services. Healthcare sector is revolutionizing by the proper coordination of bio-sciences with big data, artificial intelligence, robotics, information technology and connectivity. The KGMU, with 58 specialties, has immense potential for inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary research based on primary data. He said that leading institutes like KGMU should also continue high-level program on original research.
The President said that the alumni of KGMU have been making significant contribution for the last several decades, adorning the highest posts of top medical institutions in the country and abroad. He noted that the Georgian Alumni Association of about 12,500 members is active internationally. He suggested the Association to establish a knowledge portal where all Georgians working in India and abroad could share their knowledge and experiences related to medical practice, research work, complex case treatment or healthcare.
The President said that people from many countries come to India for treatment of critical illness because they get world-class treatments at low cost. He expressed confidence that all the doctors of the new and old generations together can bring revolutionary changes in the field of healthcare and medicine in the country. He said that the talent and spirit of service of our doctors and nurses is well known all over the world. He wished that the healthcare sector of our country to be such that 'Cure in India' becomes a phrase in the whole world.
Please click here to see the President Speech
Ministry of Defence
Another Industry Support Measure by DRDO
As another measure to support industry, requirement of "Performance Security" for the "Development Contracts" by DRDO and ATVP has been waived as per the approval of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. This will apply to development contracts only, as defined in para 12.5 of the DRDO Procurement Manual, PM 2016, as amended. However, Warranty Bond would continue to be obtained from successful development partner to cover the DRDO/ ATVP interest during the warranty period.
This provision will be applicable for all RFPs issued in respect of development contracts after the date of issue of this amendment that is 23 September 2020. All ongoing cases of development contracts in which Request for proposal / contract has already been issued may continue to be regulated as per the provisions contained in the issued RFP/ contract.
Secretary DD R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy stated that it is another important milestone to support Industry.
ABB/Nampi/Rajib
(Visitor Counter : 1090
Ministry of Defence
Air Marshal Rajeev Sachdeva Takes Over as DCIDS 
Air Marshal Rajeev Sachdeva, took over as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff  , recently. He has distinction of earlier serving in three out of the four wings of Headquarter Integrated Defence Staff .
Commissioned as Indian Air Force Pilot, in December1981, Air Marshal Sachdeva has logged over 7,200 hours of transport and instructional flying experience. Cat 'A' qualified flying instructor has held some of the prestigious appointments in Air Force, Joint Services and NTRO. He was an Air Force examiner and also commanded a frontline Transport Squadron, a Transport Base and the College of Defence Management. He, at HQ IDS, was ACIDS ICT and ACIDS Jt Ops, at NTRO he was Centre Director Aviation. Prior to his present appointment at HQ IDS, he was the Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Southern Air Command in Thiruvananthapuram.
Ministry of Power
Fifth Training Programme by India for Myanmar’s Power Sector Professionals Takes off
NTPC Ltd., India's largest power generation company, is conducting five training programmes for power sector professionals from Myanmar. These programmes are being conducted under the India-Myanmar Government to Government framework for cooperation in the Power Sector, as part of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation  Programme, the leading capacity building platform of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
Out of the five programmes, four have been completed. All four of them received a very good response from the power sector professionals of Myanmar. The four programmes have been on Smart Grids; Cross Border Energy Trading; Electric Vehicles, Batteries and Charging Stations; and Microgrids. The first two were conducted in March – April 2023 and the latter two in June 2023.
The last of these five programmes, on "Solar Energy & Photovoltaic  System," began today, June 19, 2023, with the inaugural function at the SCOPE Convention Centre in New Delhi. Scheduled to conclude on June 23, 2023, the programme aims to equip participants with comprehensive knowledge on Solar PV Projects, including technical components, economics, cost-benefit analysis, policy frameworks, project design, implementation, and associated challenges.
The inaugural function was graced by Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Vinay Kumar; Director, Finance, NTPC Ltd., J. Srinivasan; Director, Development Partnership Administration, Ministry of External Affairs, A. Bhattacharyya; Director, NTPC School of Business, Dr. Rajeshwari Narendran; Head, International Business Development, NTPC, Dr. J S Chandok; and Under Secretary , Ministry of External Affairs, H. Sagar. They addressed the twenty participants, including eleven female participants, emphasizing the significance of the training program in fostering collaboration and enhancing skills in the power sector.
The collaboration between India and Myanmar under the ITEC Programme shows the commitment of both nations to strengthen bilateral relations and promote knowledge exchange in the power sector.
The training programmes conducted by NTPC under the auspices of the ITEC demonstrate the company’s dedication to sharing expertise and best practices to promote sustainable and clean energy solutions.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update - Day 304
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 112.91 crore
More than 54 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 112.91Crore today. More than 54 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
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Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10380642
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9341263
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18374246
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
16196101
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
433914111
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
173197185
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
178622031
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
105719007
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
111915823
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
71489462
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
753206853
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
375943018
|
|
Total
|
|
1129149871
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
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|
Date: 15th November, 2021 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
78
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
6694
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
151
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
16690
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1201461
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2653318
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
286204
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
750679
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
167315
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
363705
|
|
1st Dose Administered in Total
|
|
1655209
|
|
2nd Dose Administered in Total
|
|
3791086
|
|
Total
|
|
5446295
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Coal
Measures In Place to Enhance Coal Production
Import Reduced Considerably
As per Coal Directory 2020-21, India is the second largest coal producer and importer in the world.
The quantity of total coal imported during last five years and current year upto the month of January, 2022 is given below:-

|
|
Year
|
|
Import of Coal
|
|
2016-17
|
|
191.01
|
|
2017-18
|
|
208.25
|
|
2018-19
|
|
235.35
|
|
2019-20
|
|
248.54
|
|
2020-21
|
|
215.25
|
|
2021-22 upto Jan.2022
|
|
173.32
Order regarding methodology for auction of coal and lignite mines / blocks for sale of coal / lignite on revenue sharing basis and tenure of coking coal linkage was issued on 28.05.2020. Auction process for auction of coal blocks for sale of coal has been launched on 18.06.2020.
Amendments have been made in the Mines & Mineral   Act and the Coal Mines   Act to ensure wider participation and competition in auction of coal mines. The amendments in the Acts would enable the following:
- Allocation of coal blocks for composite prospecting license-cum-mining lease which will help in increasing of the inventory of coal/lignite blocks for allocation.
- Repetitive and redundant provision requiring previous approval of Central government even in cases where the allocation or reservation of coal/lignite block has been made by the Central Government itself has been done away with.
- Provided flexibility to the Central Govt. in deciding the end use of Schedule II and III coal mines under the CMSP Act.
- Companies which do not possess any prior coal mining experience in India can now participate in auction of coal blocks.
In view of the amendments made in CMSP Act, the Coal Mines  Rules, 2014 were also amended through the Coal Mines  Amendment Rules, 2020 and the same has been notified on 29.05.2020.
Since Launch of auction of coal mines for commercial mining in June 2020, a total of 4 rounds of auction have been conducted in which total 292 coal mines were offered. In 3 rounds, 42 coal mines have been successfully auctioned. Further, in respect of 4th round of auction, bids were opened on 02.03.2022 and 2 or more bids have been received in respect of 5 coal mines and 6 coal mines have fetched single bids.
The Ministry of Coal has amended Mineral Concession Rules,1960 with a view to allowing sale of coal or lignite, on payment of additional amount, by the lessee of a captive mine up to 50 percent of the total coal or lignite produced in a financial year, after meeting the requirement of the end use plant linked with the mine.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Cabinet
MoU between the India and Bangladesh on the establishment of a framework of cooperation in the area of trade remedial measures
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding  between the Director General of Trade Remedies, Republic of India and the Bangladesh Trade & Tariff Commission, People's Republic of Bangladesh on the establishment of a framework of cooperation in the area of trade remedial measures signed on 27th March, 2021 at Dhaka.
Objectives
The primary objective of the MOU is to promote cooperation between the two countries in the area of Trade Remedies, covering the broad activities related to exchange of information, undertaking capacity building activities and activities in accordance with various provisions of World Trade Organization in the area of anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures in bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh.
The MOU seeks to foster better cooperation between the relevant authorities of both the countries so as to discourage unfair trade practices and promote rule based bilateral trading between the two countries.